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8th Grade U.S. History First Nine Weeks

Multiple ChoiceIdentify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

1 What did colonists call the Coercive Acts, passed by Parliament in spring of 1774?A Intolerable Acts C Acts of CrueltyB Tariff of Abominations D Lord North’s Revenge

2 The ultimate outcome of the Albany Plan is evidence that the American coloniesA were beginning to develop a sense of nationalism.B did not have very strong bonds of unity with one another.C no longer felt the Indians to be a serious threat to their survival.D were ready to subordinate their differences and unite for common defense.

3 Read the quotation below and use the information along with your knowledge of social studies to answer questions 3 and 4.

According to Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore, what group of people will be looked upon as traitors?A Virginians C MonarchsB Loyalists D Patriots

4 Based on Lord Dunmore’s statement above, it can be concluded that he was aA a Patriot. C a Loyalist.B a mercenary. D a minuteman.

5 Which of the following phrases from the Declaration of Independence emphasizes the importance of natural rights?A We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…B The History of the King of Britain is a History of repeated injuries…C Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be

changed for light and transient [short-lived] causes…D In every state of these oppressions, we have petitions for redress [correction] in

the most humble terms…

6 The phrase life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is found in theA Constitution of the United States. C Olive Branch Petition.B Crisis. D Declaration of Independence.

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7 The Sons of Liberty can best be described asA a society of colonists who did not wish to break from Britain.B a society of scholars who wrote pamphlets. C a group of patriots who protested British laws. D a group of diplomats who tried to gain foreign support.

8 From the 1690’s to mid-1760’s, the British policy of salutary neglect toward the American colonies contributed toA a decrease in French and Spanish influence in North America.B the decline of slavery in the northern colonies.C a decline in colonial manufacturing.D the development of independent colonial trade practices.

9 Why was the phrase taxation without representation so important to the revolutionary cause?A Colonists did not wish to support a government in which they had no voice.B Great Britain would have ended taxation if colonists had kept the peace.C Colonists believed that Great Britain should only tax certain items.D Great Britain only taxed the colonists to force them into war.

10 Read the excerpt below from a Patrick Henry speech and use the information to answer the question that follows.

On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry urged his fellow Vi rginians to take up arms in their own defense in a speech delivered at St. John’s Church in Richmond. This is an excerpt from that speech.

“ Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on . . . There is no longer room for hope. If we wish to be free . . . we must fight! . . . The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave . . . There is not retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable – and let it come! . . .Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course other may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

What conclusion can best be drawn from the speech Patrick Henry made to the people prior to the American Revolution?A Only the free can survive. C Free people live longer.B Freedom is worth the loss of life. D People must die to gain freedom.

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11 One of the contributions Thomas Jefferson is best remembered for is A serving as the first President of the United States.B presiding at the Constitutional Convention.C founding the Sons of Liberty.D writing the Declaration of Independence.

12 The colonists expressed their desire for peace in the A Boston Massacre. C Olive Branch Petition.B Continental Colors. D Navigation Acts.

13 Which statement best summarizes the relationship between the citizens and their government as set forth in the Declaration of Independence?A Governments have complete authority over all citizens.B Citizens have basic rights and they can overthrow a government that takes away

these rights.C Citizens have the right to limit the authority of the kings by refusing the pay taxes.D The government is not empowered to protect the rights of its citizens.

14 The Declaration of Independence is based on A the ideas of the Great Awakening.B Benjamin Franklin’s theory of the colonial superiority.C the ideas of the American Renaissance.D John Locke’s theory of natural rights.

15 The main purpose expressed in the Declaration of Independence by the colonists was toA set up a new structure of government for the colonist and Great Britain.B declare the separation of the United States from Great Britain.C declare the rights of the individual over the King.D list their complaints against King George III.

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16 Examine the information provided on the timeline and use it along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

As a result of the above actions listed on the timeline, the colonistsA dissolved the Proclamation of 1763 and moved west.B tarred and feathered the British tax collectors.C issued the Declaration of Independence.D issued the Articles of Confederation.

17 From the point of view of someone living in the American colonies during the 1770’s, a patriot is best described as a person who A attempted to stop all trade with American merchants.B supported the authority of the king over the colonies.C attempted to referee disputes between Great Britain and the colonies.D supported the movements for the American independence.

18 The colonists had a geographical advantage over the British during the American Revolution because the colonists A were familiar with the land.B were able to mine rich coal deposits.C took control of the Atlantic Ocean.D were protected by swamps that formed natural barriers.

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19 Read the excerpt below and use the information along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

from Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776Men of passive tempers look somewhat lightly over the offenses of Great Britain, and, still hoping for the best, are apt to call out, COME, COME, WE SHALL BE FRIENDS AGAIN FOR ALL THIS. But ... then tell me whether you can hereafter love, honour, and faithfully serve the power that hath carried fire and sword into your land? ... No man was a warmer wisher for a [peaceful settlement] than myself, before the fatal nineteenth of April, 1775 [the battles at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, occurred on this day], but the moment the event of that day was made known, I rejected the hardened, sullen-tempered [King of England] forever.

An effective result of the publication of Common Sense was that it persuaded many A loyalists to support the King George III.B wealthy merchants to leave the colonies.C colonists to support independence from Great Britain.D loyalists and patriots to unite against Great Britain.

20 Study the table below and use the information along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

American RevolutionColumn 1 Column 2

Advantages DisadvantagesSuperior Navy Few WeaponsWealth Few ShipsLarge Population Untrained MilitaryExperienced Military Small Population

The advantages listed in column 1 are for which country?A France C AmericaB Spain D Britain

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21 The table below illustrates how England and the Thirteen Colonies prepared for the American Revolution. Use this information to answer question 21.

Preparations for War

England Thirteen Colonies

Population Approximately 12,000,000 Approximately 2,800,000

Manufacturing Highly developed and flourishing Practically none

Money Richest country in the world No money to support the war effort

Army Large, well-trained army plus mercenary Hessians

All-volunteer forces – willing to fight but poorly equipped

Leaders Many dedicated and able officers Few officers capable of leading

Geography Strange land with long distance to base of supplies

Familiar land with easy access to limited amounts of supplies

Which of the items listed below should be listed for the Thirteen Colonies because it helped them win the war?A naval superiority of the thirteen coloniesB aid from foreign nationsC control of railroads and canalsD greater number of Indian allies

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22 Use the information on the cause-effect flow chart and your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

Which statement below is considered a cause of the event in Box 2?A The British ban the Committees of Correspondence.B Boston’s governor refuses to allow tea to be unloaded in the harbor.C The British East India Company raises the prices of its tea.D Parliament passes the Tea Act.

23 Use the song lyrics below and your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

The song lyrics above were used by colonists to A promote membership in the Daughters of Liberty.B encourage women to boycott British goods.C gain support for mercantilism.D demanded rights for women.

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24 Read the excerpt below and use the information along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

George Washington read The Crisis to his troops in December 1776 attempting to A excuse the failure of the Continental Congress to properly supply the Continental

army.B explain why the British would be victorious.C inspire his troops to be strong in the face of defeat.D scold his troops for their defeat in the Battle of Long Island.

25 Who carried the message the regulars are out?A Paul Revere C Lord NorthB Thomas Paine D Patrick Henry

26 Why did Thomas Jefferson feel the colonists had the right to break away from Great Britain?A Jefferson did not believe in any form of government.B Great Britain did not protect the rights of the colonists.C Jefferson did not agree that social contracts should be obeyed.D Great Britain no longer showed a desire to govern the colonists.

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27 Examine the flow chart below and use the information along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question.

Which of the policies included in the diagram arose out of conflict between Native Americans and British settlers?A Proclamation of 1763 C Stamp ActB Sugar Act D Boston Massacre

28 One result of British laws such as the Sugar and Stamp Acts was American’s resentment ofA foreign alliances. C taxation without representation.B locally appointed governing bodies. D government control of speech.

29 Read the statement below and use the information to answer the following question.

“The only representatives of the people of these colonies are persons chosen therein by themselves; and that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally imposed on them but by their respective legislatures.”

-Statement by the Stamp Act Congress, 1765

What is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from the above quotation?A The colonial legislatures should be appointed by the English King with the consent of

Parliament.B Only the colonists’ elected representatives should have the power to levy taxes.C The English King should have the right to tax the colonists.D The colonists should be opposed to all taxation.

30 The original purpose of the Sugar Act was toA limit amount of sugar traded. C punish sugar growers for using slaves.B stop smuggling. D increase demand for English sugar.

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31 The Stamp Act specifically taxedA luxury goods. C printed material.B goods made in France. D the post office.

32 The 1763 Treaty of Paris marks the end ofA British control of Canada. C Pontiac’s War.B French control of the West Indies. D France as a power in North America.

33 Which statement is most accurate about the movement for independence in the thirteen colonies?A The independence movement began soon after the founding of the Plymouth Colony.B Protests against British colonial policies gradually led to demands for independence.C The King of England required the colonists to become economically self-sufficient.D The movement for independence was equally strong in all of the colonies.

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34 Study the map and the map key and use that information to answer the following question.

The Proclamation of 1763 established the western boundary of the colonies at theA Mississippi River. C Appalachian Mountains.B Northwest Passage. D Canadian Border.

35 An economic consequence of the French and Indian War wasA England increased taxes on the colonies.C England went into a depression.B France became a poor nation. D England began taxing the Indians.

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36 Analyze the illustration below and use the information to answer the following

question.What colonial claim about the Boston Massacre is supported by this illustration?A Most of the American colonists in Boston were killed.B British soldiers fired on unarmed colonists.C There were more soldiers than civilians at the Boston Massacre.D Colonists were better equipped for war than British soldiers were.

37 Why did thousands of African-American slaves sign on with the British Army?A The British offered freedom to any slave who served in their army.B George Washington would not pay them for service to the revolutionary army.C British forces were better trained and equipped than American forces.D British forces pledged to put an end to the institution of slavery in America.

38 How did Americans react to the situation at Valley Forge?A They resigned themselves to British rule.B They sent letters of encouragement to Friedrich von Steuben.C They collected and sent food and supplies.D They encouraged Martha Washington to beg her husband to come home.

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What conclusion can best be drawn from the above illustrated timeline about the tea imported from Britain?A Coffee consumption increased in the colonies.B There was no change in tea consumption.C Tea consumption decreased due to drought.D Consumption of tea decreased due to colonial boycotts.

40 The French support for the colonies during the American Revolutionary War was motivated primarily byA enthusiasm for the revolutionary principles supported by the Americans.B a desire to weaken its rival with Great Britain.C pressures from Spain to help protect their control of Florida.D the hope that the colonies would become dependent upon France.

41 Which of the following made the greatest contribution to the American victory at Yorktown?A guerrilla attacks led by Francis MarionB the actions of De Grasse’s French fleetC the discovery that Benedict Arnold was a traitorD General Greene’s leadership

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42 Women such as Mary Ludwig-Hayes McCauley (a.k.a. Molly Pitcher), Margaret Corbin, and Deborah Sampson helped the Patriot cause by A collecting money to build a soldiers hospital.B staying home to take care of the family’s farm.C actively fighting in battle.D assisting Betsy Ross in designing the first American flag.

43 Study the events listed in the box below and use the information along with your knowledge of history to answer the following question. Events of the American Revolution

Which of the following events completes the timeline?A Americans hold Stamp Act CongressB British surrender at YorktownC British occupy Fort TiconderogaD Americans issue Declaration of Independence

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44 The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolution becauseA the colonists were defeated and lost possession of New York.B Native Americans joined the war against the colonies during the battle.C Great Britain was forced to form an alliance with France against the colonies.D the colonial victory convinced France to support American independence.

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Short Answer

1 You will be given a separate paper for this portion of your test which will be worth 10 points.

ID: A

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8th Grade U.S. History First Nine WeeksAnswer Section

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1 ANS: A STA: 1.2.B 2 ANS: B STA: 1.1 3 ANS: D STA: 1.3 4 ANS: C STA: 1.3 5 ANS: A STA: 1.4.A 6 ANS: D STA: 1.1.A,C 7 ANS: C STA: 1.2.A 8 ANS: D STA: 1.2.A 9 ANS: A STA: 1.3.E, 1.2.A 10 ANS: B STA: 1.2.D 11 ANS: D STA: 1.4.D 12 ANS: C STA: 1.3.D 13 ANS: B STA: 1.4.B 14 ANS: D STA: 1.4.A 15 ANS: B STA: 1.4 A, 1.3.E 16 ANS: C STA: 1.3.E 17 ANS: D STA: 2.2.A, 1.3 18 ANS: A STA: 2 19 ANS: C STA: 1.2.D 20 ANS: D STA: 2 21 ANS: B STA: 2 22 ANS: D STA: 1.2.B 23 ANS: B STA: 1.3, 1.2.A 24 ANS: C STA: 2.3.D 25 ANS: A STA: 1.2.C 26 ANS: B STA: 1.4.B,D 27 ANS: A STA: 1.1, 1.2.A, 1.3 28 ANS: C STA: 1.2.A 29 ANS: B STA: 1.2.A 30 ANS: B STA: 1.2.A 31 ANS: C STA: 1.2.A 32 ANS: D STA: 1.1 33 ANS: B STA: 2.2 34 ANS: C STA: 1.1 35 ANS: A STA: 1.2.A 36 ANS: B STA: 1.3.C 37 ANS: A STA: 2.2.B 38 ANS: C STA: 2.3.E 39 ANS: D STA: 1.2.A,B

ID: A

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40 ANS: B STA: 2.3.C 41 ANS: B STA: 2.3.F 42 ANS: C STA: 2 43 ANS: B STA: 2.3.F 44 ANS: D STA: 2.3.B

SHORT ANSWER

1 ANS: Possible answers:

1. The snake is broken into pieces representing eight separate colonies. (1pt)

2. Location of each piece represents it’s geographic position along the Atlantic Coast. (1 pt)

3. It was used to emphasis importance of colonial unity against a common cause. (1 pt)

4. Franklin created the cartoon for the American colonists. (1 pt)

5. Franklin suggested the Albany Plan of Union (1 pt) to have the colonies united together in a common cause to defend themselves against the French and Native Americans and for control of the land west of the Appalachian Mountains. Franklin believed that the colonies needed to unite to avoid conquest by the French. Two decades later, Americans interpreted the cartoon as a call for unity among the different colonies during their fight for independence against the British. (5 pt)

STA: 1.1